ISU Communication 2558: Singles & Pairs Levels, GOE and PCS Guidelines for Season 2023-24

The ISU has published Communication 2558: Levels of Difficulty and Guidelines for Marking Grade of Execution and Program Components Season 2023/24

Summary of notable changes (underlined portions are new):

Spin Levels:

• “In Flying spins and spins in one position the difficult exit must be started from a basic position (not final windup), which must be at least reached. In spin combinations the difficult exit can be started from any position.”

• “When windmill is used as a difficult exit, it must be executed on the spinning foot.”

• Optional level 4 feature: “Both directions immediately following each other in sit, camel, Layback and difficult variation of an upright position”

Pair Lift Levels:

• “In Group 5 Reverse Lasso Lift (5RLi) when both partners skate forwards, this is considered as a difficult variation of take-off.”

Death Spiral Levels:

• “Difficult entry and/or exit is one feature and only one of them will count as a level feature. The exit must have a significant impact on the balance, control and execution of the death spiral.”

Pair Spin Levels:

• “Difficult exit – exiting in a lift or spinning movement, an innovative move that makes the exit significantly more difficult. The exit must have a significant impact on the balance, control and execution of the pair spin combination.”

• “Lifting the woman while the man is on 1 foot is a level feature when executed for at least 2 revolutions. If the woman is in a difficult position during the lift, it will be counted as a difficult variation.”

• “Pair Spin Combination can be started with a jump. Any flying entry can be considered as a feature. If one or both partners do not execute 3 revolutions before or after the change of foot, the PCoSp will be marked with a “V”. If there are less than 3 revolutions on both feet by one or both partners, the spin will have “No Value”.

GOE - Positive Aspects:

• Jumps: “effortless throughout (including rhythm in jump combo or sequence)”

• Step sequences: “Creativity of body movements including variations of free foot: This positive bullet includes creative and varied body movements and different placements of the free foot (forwards, sideways, backwards/supported or unsupported) during the step sequence.”

GOE - Negative Aspects:

• Jumps: “Poor take-off: For example a toe-assisted jump is taken off from the full blade, Toe Loop is executed like a Toe Axel or there is excessive rotation on the ice at the take-off. The reduction in GOE is -2 to -4.” (previously -1 to -3)

• Jumps: “Multiple “q” signs in jump combo/seq: -3 to -4”

• Spins: “Poor exit: -1 to -3”

• “In case of any of the following errors, the starting GOE for the evaluation cannot be higher than +2:” (added following)

  • Spins with less than required revolutions (Short Program)

  • Spins with change of foot with poor change

  • Flying Spins with poor fly

• Twists: “Poor take-off (poor speed, serious scratching, no toe-pick): -1 to -3” (previously -1 to -2)

• Death spirals: “Poor or weak position of the woman (too high/less than 1 rev in low position) or man: -1 to -3”

• Death spirals: “Woman’s or man’s weak edge quality: -2 to -3” (previously -1 to -2)

2022-23 Ice Dance Scale of Values, Singles & Pairs Level & GOE Guidelines

Communication 2473: Ice Dance Scale of Values, Season 2022-23

Notable changes:

• Increase base values of all dance lifts

• Increase base values of sequential twizzles in the RD

• Separate BVs for women and men for the Step Sequence in Hold/Not Touching (total BV is sum of woman’s and man’s BV)

• Add Choreographic Assisted Jumps (ChAJ1) with BV of 1.10, max GOE of +4.15 and min GOE of -1.10

• Add Choreographic Rhythm Sequence (ChRS1) with BV of 2.00, max GOE of 7.50 and min GOE of -2.00

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Communication 2474: Levels of Difficulty and Guidelines for marking Grade of Execution and Program Components, Season 2022-23

Notable changes to level guidelines:

Step sequences (singles): “Two combinations of 3 difficult turns on different feet executed with continuous flow within the sequence. Only one difficult turn may be repeated in the two combinations.”

Step sequences (pairs): “Two different combinations of 3 difficult turns: One of the combinations must be executed in a hold. Only the first two combinations can be counted.”

Spins (singles): “Difficult exit” added as level feature. “Difficult entrance and Difficult exit are two different features. To get credit for both features they must be executed in two different spins and the movements must be of different nature.”

Solo spins (pairs): “Difficult entrance and/or difficult exit: Only one of them can be accepted as a level feature in the solo spin.”

Pair spins (pairs): “Lifting the woman while the man is on 1 foot is a level feature when executed for at least 2 revolutions.”

Pair lifts (pairs): “No carry is considered as a feature for Juniors. A difficult carry will be awarded for Seniors in Free Skating. Inside Axel take-off is no longer awarded as a difficult take-off in 5ALi or 5SLi. Group 4 Lift can also start with a hand to arm grip to allow difficult variation of take-off. In lifts with one arm hold the second point of contact can only be given if it is not used for support. Difficult take-off must be executed before full extension of the arms.”

Jump sequences (singles & pairs) (pending ISU Congress decision): “A jump sequence consists of two or three jumps of any number of revolutions, in which the second and/or the third jump is an Axel type jump with a direct step from the landing curve of the first/second jump in to the take-off curve of the Axel jump. One full revolution on the ice between the jumps (free foot can touch the ice, but without weight transfer) keeps the element in the frame of the definition of a jump sequence. Jumps executed in a jump sequence receive their full value.”

Choreographic sequence (singles) (pending ISU Congress decision): “A Choreographic Sequence consists of at least two different movements like steps, turns, spirals, arabesques, spread eagles, Ina Bauers, hydroblading, any jumps with maximum of 2 revolutions, spins, etc.”

Notable changes to GOE guidelines:

Step sequences (singles & pairs): “Good ice coverage or interesting pattern” added as +GOE feature

Jumps (singles & pairs): “Changes of edge in between jump combo: The reduction in GOE is -1 to -2. Poor take-off: For example a toe-assisted jump is taken off from the full blade, Toe Loop is executed like a Toe Axel or there is excessive rotation on the ice at the take-off. The reduction in GOE is -1 to -3. Touch down of the free foot in between jumps: The reduction in GOE is -1 to -2.”

2022 Winter Olympics: Pairs Individual Event Preview

The last figure skating event of the 2022 Winter Olympics will be the high-flying pairs competition, China’s marquee discipline with stars Wenjing Sui and Cong Han in the mix for the gold medal. They will be challenged by three strong teams representing ROC, including current World Champions Anastasia Mishina and Aleksandr Galliamov. Here’s a quick introduction to some of the teams!

See also: 2022 Winter Olympics Info & Streaming for how to watch!

Wenjing Sui / Cong Han (China)

• Age: 26/29

• ISU Season’s Best Scores: SP - 82.83, FS - 145.11, Total - 224.55

• ISU Personal Best Scores: SP - 82.83, FS - 155.60, Total - 234.84

• Programs: SP - Mission Impossible 2 Orchestra Suite, FS - Bridge Over Troubled Water

Pyeongchang Olympic silver medalists and 2-time World Champions, Sui and Han come into their second Olympic Games as strong contenders for the gold medal. They have led Chinese skating for the last 8 years, and are the longest-lasting pairs team in this field. They’ve been skating together for nearly 15 years, and their seamlessness, elegance and chemistry are apparent when they perform.

Their fiery short program to the Mission Impossible 2 soundtrack shows off their crisp elements, while their free program to Bridge Over Troubled water is an emotional tribute to their journey together. They are the only pairs team to attempt a quadruple twist in this Olympics, and they will need every point to fend off challenges from Mishina/Galliamov and the other Russian teams. Sui/Han’s throw jumps are impeccable, but they sometimes struggle with the side-by-side jumps. They are stronger in the short program, where they currently hold the world record score, but will need to be as clean as possible in the free skate to win the gold.

Anastasia Mishina / Aleksandr Galliamov (ROC)

• Age: 20/22

• ISU Season’s Best Scores: SP - 82.64, FS - 157.46, Total - 239.82

• ISU Personal Best Scores: SP - 82.64, FS - 157.46, Total - 239.82

• Programs: SP - Esmeralda, FS - The Snowstorm, Time, Forward!

The young team of Mishina/Galliamov have exploded onto the senior scene in the last few seasons, winning the 2021 World Championship title and 2022 European Championship title. They have cemented themselves as Russia’s top team this season with their consistency and high-quality elements, and are favorites along with Sui/Han for the Olympic gold medal. Their money combo is a side-by-side triple salchow-euler-triple salchow combination in the free skate, a difficult combination that few other pairs have attempted, and which helps their base value significantly. Mishina/Galliamov currently hold the world record scores for the free skate and combined total. Watch for their joyful short program to selections from the Esmeralda ballet.

Evgenia Tarasova / Vladimir Morozov (ROC)

• Age: 27/29

• ISU Season’s Best Scores: SP - 81.58, FS - 154.85, Total - 236.43

• ISU Personal Best Scores: SP - 81.58, FS - 154.85, Total - 236.43

• Programs: SP - Metamorphosis Two, Experience, FS - Lighthouse

Three-time World medalists and Russia’s top team at the 2018 Olympics, Tarasova and Morozov have fought through many challenges in the last few seasons, including coaching changes, injuries, and COVID. When they’re on, they have some of the most impressive technical elements in the field, especially their enormous triple twist. Their main struggle has been consistency, although they have improved in this aspect in the current season. Their programs highlight their classic lines and elegance, and if they can deliver, they may even challenge for Olympic gold.

Aleksandra Boikova / Dmitrii Kozlovskii (ROC)

• Age: 20/22

• ISU Season’s Best Scores: SP - 77.17, FS - 150.97, Total - 227.23

• ISU Personal Best Scores: SP - 82.34, FS - 152.24, Total - 234.58

• Programs: SP - Swan Lake, FS - Malaguena

The 2020 European Champions Boikova/Kozlovskii are another young team that have swept through Russian skating in the last four years. Coached by the legendary Tamara Moskvina, alongside their teammates Mishina/Galliamov, they’re a team with incredible personality — Boikova’s sass stands out amongst Russian pairs women with her outstanding expression. The team has beautiful extension too, especially noticeable in their lifts.

Boikova/Kozlovskii have struggled with consistency in the last two seasons, but they are still very much contenders for the Olympic podium if they skate clean. Watch out for their dramatic programs to Swan Lake and Malaguena, two figure skating classics.

Riku Miura / Ryuichi Kihara (Japan)

• Age: 20/29

• ISU Season’s Best Scores: SP - 74.45, FS - 139.60, Total - 209.42

• ISU Personal Best Scores: SP - 74.45, FS - 139.60, Total - 209.42

• Programs: SP - Hallelujah, FS - Woman

Coming from a country not known for pairs or ice dance, Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara have gone against the odds to prove that Japanese skating can stand on international podiums in every discipline. They paired up only two seasons ago, and spent a portion of time only receiving remote coaching due to travel difficulties surrounding the COVID pandemic. Nevertheless, they have medaled at two Grand Prix events this season, qualifying for the Grand Prix Final (before it was canceled.) Their meteoric rise helped Japan win a medal in the Olympic team event for the first time. Also notable is the fact that Ryuichi Kihara is now attending his third Olympic Games, putting him in impressive company, as few skaters ever make it to more than two.

Both of Miura/Kihara’s programs are full of personality. They skate to a beautiful rendition of Hallelujah by k.d. lang for their short program, and powerful version of Woman by Shawn Phillips in the free program. Clean performances here have the potential to put them in the top 6.

Cheng Peng / Yang Jin (China)

• Age: 24/27

• ISU Season’s Best Scores: SP - 76.71, FS - 135.15, Total - 211.86

• ISU Personal Best Scores: SP - 76.71, FS - 141.21, Total - 216.90

• Programs: SP - Piano & I: Moonlight Sonata, FS - Selections from The Banquet

Sometimes underrated by the judges due to being China’s number two pair, Peng and Jin are incredibly talented, with immaculate synchronicity in their individual elements in addition to their top-notch pair elements. Like their teammates Sui and Han, Peng/Jin have gorgeous throw jumps, but sometimes struggle with their side-by-side jumps.

Peng and Jin are skating at their second Olympics together, looking for redemption from Pyeongchang, where they finished a disappointing 17th. In the last four years, they have absolutely proven to be one of the world’s top pairs, with medals at the Grand Prix Final and Four Continents Championships. They’ll be skating to Chinese music in their free program, composed of selections from The Banquet, a film set at the end of the Tang dynasty, with beautifully expressed themes of love in times of strife.

OTHERS TO WATCH:

Kirsten Moore-Towers / Michael Marinaro (Canada)

• Age: 29/30

• ISU Season’s Best Scores: SP - 67.34, FS - 122.77, Total - 184.37

• ISU Personal Best Scores: SP - 76.36, FS - 138.59, Total - 211.05

• Programs: SP - Hold on Tight, FS - Carry You

Moore-Towers is competing at her third Olympics, and Marinaro at his second. The reigning Canadian National Champions have said this is their final season, and they’ll skate like it, leaving everything on the table for their final showing. With several disappointing performances this season, their main goal will be to show their best at the Olympics. Moore-Towers and Marinaro will skate to the emotional Carry You by Ruelle and Fleurie in their free, a testament to their journey to these Olympic Games.

Ashley Cain-Gribble and Timothy Leduc (USA)

• Age: 26/31

• ISU Season’s Best Scores: SP - 70.75, FS - 132.04, Total - 202.79

• ISU Personal Best Scores: SP - 76.23, FS - 132.04, Total - 205.58

• Programs: SP - Selections from The White Crow, FS - Selections from W.E.

Ashley Cain-Gribble and Timothy Leduc have persevered through injuries, and both personal and professional challenges to make it to these Olympic Games. Timothy Leduc is the first-ever openly non-binary athlete at the Winter Olympics. The reigning US National Champions, they’ll skate to The White Crow by Ilan Eshkeri in the short program, and selections from W.E. by Abel Korneniowski in the free program. Keep an eye out for their side-by-side triple loops, another rare jump in pairs skating.

2020-21 ISU Technical Panel Handbooks for Singles and Pairs Skating

• Technical Panel Handbook for Singles

• Technical Panel Handbook for Pairs

Changes are underlined in the documents. There are minor changes to spin level features and the previously-mentioned “q” will be used to mark jumps landed a quarter rotation short.

2020-2021 Singles & Pairs Scale of Values & Level/GOE Guidelines

NOTE: As of 6/18/2020, the ISU has suspended the following two communications for the 2020-2021 season. The SOV and Level/GOE Guidelines from the 2019-2020 season will remain in effect.

ISU Communication 2323: 2020-21 Scale of Values

Notable changes:

• Base value of 3Lz decreased from 5.90 to 5.30 (now same as 3F)

• Base value of 4Lo increased from 10.50 to 11.00 (now same as 4F)

• Base value of 4Lz decreased from 11.50 to 11.00 (now same as 4F)

• Base values of death spirals are now separated based on backwards/forwards entry as well as inside/outside edge. (Previously, forward inside/backward inside had the same base values, and forward outside/backward outside had the same base values). In order of increasing base value: Forward Inside, Backward Inside, Backward Outside, Forward Outside.

ISU Communication 2324: 2020-21 Level & GOE Guidelines

Notable changes:

• New sign for marking jump rotation: A “q” sign indicates a jump that landed a quarter rotation short. (< is for jumps between a quarter and half rotation short, < < is for jumps half a rotation short or more.) “q” will not reduce the base value of the jump like < or < <, but will reduce the GOE. GOE for jumps with “q” are listed in the Scale of Values. The “q” sign can apply to both solo jumps and throw jumps in pairs.

• Spin entrance/exit: Difficult exit to a spin is now a level feature, but does not count in a spin that also has a difficult entrance, or vice versa. Windmills will no longer be considered a difficult entrance or exit.

• Pair spins: The lady can be lifted off the ice during the spin, but the man must stay on one foot.

• Poor/cheated jump takeoff: Including full-blade takeoff on a toe jump, toe axels or excessive rotation on the ice at takeoff. GOE of -1 to -3.

More changes are underlined in the document.

2018-19 ISU Technical Panel Handbooks

Technical panel handbooks for the new season have been posted on the ISU website. The latest documents available are listed here and on our Introduction to Skating page. Note that our intro guides have not yet been updated with the new rules; we will update them as soon as possible once new protocols are available.

Singles & pairs skating:

• 2018-19 Technical Panel Handbook for Singles

• 2018-19 Technical Panel Handbook for Pairs

• 2018-19 Scale of Values, Level and GOE Guidelines

• More info

Ice dance:

• 2018-19 Technical Panel Handbook

• Grade of Execution of Required Elements (2018)

• Grade of Execution of Pattern Dances (2018)

• 2018-19 Scale of Values

• Deductions (2018)

• More info

2018-19 PROPOSED Scale of Values, Level & GOE Guidelines for Singles & Pairs Skating

Subject to approval at the 57th ISU Congress. 2017-2018 SOV for reference. The major changes are a reduction of jump base values, and changing from a +/-3 GOE scale to +/-5, with each GOE of an element related to its Base Value by a fixed percentage. We’ve posted a few analyses of the new values on our twitter and hope to share more in the near future!

Other changes:

• “In a program containing a Fall or a Serious error the score ten (10) shall not be awarded for any of the Components. In a program containing Falls or Serious errors the score nine-fifty (9.5) or higher should not be awarded for Skating Skills, Transitions and Composition and the score nine (9.0) or higher should not be awarded for Performance and Interpretation.”

• Singles: “A jump will be considered as “Under-rotated” if it has missing rotation of one-quarter revolution or more, but less than one-half revolution.” Previously, “A jump will be considered as “Under-rotated” if it has missing rotation of more than one-quarter revolution, but less than one-half revolution.”

• Singles: “All spins with change of foot must have 3 revolutions on each foot. In Short Program, if this requirement is not fulfilled, the spin will get “No Value”. In Free Skating the sign “V” indicates that this requirement is not fulfilled.”

• Singles: “A jump sequence consists of 2 (two) jumps of any number of revolutions, beginning with any jump, immediately followed by an Axel type jump with a direct step from the landing curve of the first jump to the take-off curve of the Axel jump.” (Also proposed in the ISU Congress Agenda)

• Pairs: Regular flying camel entry into a side-by-side spin is no longer counted as a “difficult entry” for levels. Pair spins can be entered with a jump.

• Pairs: Lift level features must be performed within the first 3.5 revolutions of the lift. For takeoff and landing there is an additional allowance of one-half revolution. A carry during a lift does not count as a level feature in the SP and only counts once in the FS.

• Pairs: Partners must stay within 3 meters of each other while crossing during a step sequence.

• ”Varied arm positions” on jumps no longer listed as GOE features.